Eagles 2014 Schedule: Who must step up in each game

The Eagles 2014 schedule was announced by the NFL on Wednesday night and there are intriguing matchups throughout the slate.

Many fans feared the first-place schedule the reigning NFC East champions would draw, but with a .479 strength of schedule, the Eagles' schedule is the 12th easiest in the league.

Here's a week-by-week look at who needs to step up:

Week 1
Sept. 7 vs. Jacksonville, 1 p.m., CBSLANE JOHNSON: The Jaguars bolstered their pass rush by adding defensive end Chris Clemons in the off-season, and the Eagles' 2013 first-round pick must keep him out of the backfield and help to keep quarterback Nick Foles upright.

Week 2
Sept. 15 at Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m., ESPNMALCOLM JENKINS: Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, already a star, was given a new toy this off-season: former Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks, who joins a group that includes Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. Jenkins was signed primarily for his cover skills at the safety position, and they'll be tested in this game.

Week 3
Sept. 21 vs. Washington, 1 p.m., FOXCARY WILLIAMS: Last summer, DeSean Jackson was the middle man in a practice brawl between Williams and Riley Cooper, and now Williams will try to prevent Jackson -- cut by the Eagles and out for revenge -- from breaking loose over the top for a big play. Jackson is a home-run hitter and the Eagles secondary won't need any extra motivation against a former teammate.

Week 4
Sept. 28 at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m., FOXLeSEAN McCOY: The reigning rushing champion meets the league's fifth-rated rushing defense in 2013. Yards could be tough to come by, but Eagles coach Chip Kelly will use the ground game to keep the 49ers offense and quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the sidelines.

Week 5
Oct. 5 vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m., FOXNICK FOLES: St. Louis' pass defense allowed 21 touchdowns and 242 yards per game in 2013, and that was before the Rams cut corner Cortland Finnegan and lost safety Darian Stewart in free agency. Foles and the Eagles' offensive weapons could be in for a big day.

Week 6
Oct. 12 vs. Giants, Sunday at 8:30 p.m., NBCJASON KELCE: The offensive line struggled in both games against the Giants last season largely because they used stunts with Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul that kept the veteran center off-balance. If the Giants employ a similar technique this season, Kelce needs to be better.

Week 7: BYE

Week 8
Oct. 26 at Arizona, 4:05 p.m., FOXBRADLEY FLETCHER/CARY WILLIAMS: The Eagles held Larry Fitzgerald to five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in week 13 last season. Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis Jr. didn't adjust coverages based on which side of the field Fitzgerald lined up on, which means both corners will need to make plays.

Week 9
Nov. 2 at Houston, 1 p.m., FOXZACH ERTZ: The tight end caught 36 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2013. With Jackson departed, the Stanford product will play a bigger role in 2014. This could be one of the games he will be expected to produce.

Week 11
Nov. 16 at Green Bay, 1 p.m., FOXNICK FOLES: Last season against the Packers, Foles crafted a 149.3 passer rating, the highest ever by a visiting quarterback at Lambeau Field. With Aaron Rodgers injured, Foles flourished ... and this game could turn into a showcase of two top quarterbacks.

Week 12
Nov. 23 vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBSJEREMY MACLIN: Players coming off of Achilles injuries typically get stronger as the year goes along, and in this late-November game, will Maclin be able to beat safety Bernard Pollard, one of the more physical safeties in the league?

Week 13
Nov. 27 at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., FOXNICK FOLES: Foles' struggles against the Cowboys in 2013 were well-documented. He was knocked from Week 7 with a concussion while posting a 46.2 passer rating, then struggled in the second half against them in Week 17. What better stage than Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium to exorcise those demons?

Week 14
Dec. 7 vs. Seattle, 4:25 p.m., FOXOFFENSIVE LINE: Against the defending Super Bowl champions who own the league's top passing defense, the battle in the trenches will be the focus in the run game and pass protection.

Week 15
Dec. 14 vs. Dallas, 8:30, NBCLeSEAN McCOY: The Cowboys seem to bring out the best in McCoy. In last year's season finale McCoy rushed for 131 yards and caught a touchdown. In nine career games against Dallas, he has 781 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In a late-season division showdown, the Eagles will need McCoy to shoulder the load.

Week 16
Dec. 20 at Washington, TBA., CBS/NFL NetworkCONNOR BARWIN: The outside linebacker played well against Robert Griffin III last year, with a sack and forced fumble in the second meeting. A division championship could be at stake in this one, which means Barwin's pass rushing and coverage skills could prove pivotal.

Week 17
Dec. 28 at Giants, 1 p.m., FOXALEX HENERY: The NFC East has been won in the final week each of the past two seasons and in the swirling winds of MetLife Stadium, this game and perhaps the season may hinge on a late field goal. Henery will need to be better than his 1-for-2 performance in the Eagles' wild-card loss to the Saints last season and poor kickoff performance that tilted the field position battle in New Orleans' favor.